
Bachelor of Arts in Community Development and Youth Work
Three year ordinary degree in Community Development and Youth Work, which includes two separate Professional Practice Placements, the initial placement in second year and the final placement in third year.Discipline: Nursing, Health Sciences and Social Care
Programme Code:
GA876
Location: Mayo
NFQ Level: 7
Programme Duration: Three years
Mode of Study: Full time
Application Route: Apply through the CAO
Places: 30
CAO Round 1 Points: NA - New Course
Why Study?
The Community Development and Youth Work degree is designed to enable graduates to become critical thinkers and to work with diverse groups of people across the lifespan.
Through participatory processes learners will be guided to consider the multiple factors that impact upon people’s daily lives.
Through dialogue, lectures, case studies, on-line learning, experiential activities, individual and group projects, creative inputs, research and Professional Practice Placement learners acquire knowledge, develop skills and competencies to work effectively as a team member in diverse community and youth work settings.
Programme Modules
Stage/Year 1
- Introduction to Sociology
- Information Technology for digital media and society
- Introduction to Community Development (with professional pracrtice)
- Preparation for Placement in Community and Youth Work
- Invitation to psychology
- Introduction to law
- Introduction to Youth Work (with professional practice)
- Group dynamics and development
- Introduction to social policy
- Creativity with communities and young people
- Learning and innovation
In the second semester of Stage/Year 1 students will meet with the Placement Co-ordinator to consider placement options for second year.
Stage/Year 2
- Youth Work theory, principles and practice
- Developmental Psychology
- Civic engagement and leadership
- Reflective Personal Development
- Community Work: Theory, principles and process
- Legal Framework for Community Development and Youth Work
- Entrepreneurship, Community Development and Youth work
- Community Develpoment Professional Practice Semester 1: 16 hours per week x 13 weeks
- Youth Work Professional Practice Semester 2: 16 hours per week x 13 weeks
In Stage/Year 2 learners are required to choose one of two of the possible following electives:
- Entrepreneurship in Community and Youth Work
- Community and Place
Stage/Year 3
- Social research
- Diversity, Anti-racism and Social Inclusion
- Youth cultures
- Promoting health and well-being
- Human rights and equality
- Rural geography
- Organisational behaviour
- Community Development Professional Practice Semester 1: 8 hours per week x 13 weeks
- Youth Work Professional Practice Semester 2: 35 hours per week x 13 weeks
In Stage/Year 3 learners are required to choose one of two of the possible following electives:
- Rural geography
- Organisational behaviour
Career Opportunities
The potential career paths for successful graduates of the programme are varied. These may include:
- National and International Youth Organisations and services.
- School Completion Programmes
- Partnership Companies
- Child and Young People’s Service Committees
- Family Resource Centres
- Education and Training Boards
- Various research roles
Follow-on Studies:
Graduates may wish to progress to the BA (Honours) in Community Development and Youth Work at the Mayo Campus.
This Level 8 degree provides learners with the opportunity to develop further skills in strategic management, planning, evaluation, advocacy and completion of a dissertation.
Alternatively, graduates may wish to pursue tertiary programmes elsewhere.
Essential Information:
Garda Vetting
All learners are required to obtain Garda Vetting by GMIT on commencement of their studies.
Joint module delivery
Throughout the programme some modules are jointly delivered across different disciplines. Learners will be facilitated in interacting with and getting to know other learners beyond their own programme. This will expose learners to different perspectives and encourage engagement with diversity and difference. Joint modules also create spaces to develop friendships and form working relationships and collaborations.
Online delivery
Learners are supported throughout the programme to develop IT literacy skills. This includes the delivery and completion of online elements within some modules. Computer access is available with the college to all students. Learners have the option to access and complete online elements off-campus.
Professional Practice Placement
Professional Practice Placement is central to enable learners direct experience of community and youth work settings. Learners are encouraged to integrate theory and practice; develop skills required for building relationships and trust; to become a reflective and reflexive practitioner to enhance personal awareness and develop inclusive and empowering practice.
The Professional Practice Co-ordinator will liaise with learners to secure appropriate placements throughout the programme.
Contact Us
Sheila McArdle
E-mail: Sheila.mcardle@gmit.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)94 904 3118